2012 Daihatsu Terios

Daihatsu Terios

Daihatsu’s Terios never set registration records in South Africa, but it quietly built up a reputation among those who wanted real 4x4 hardware in a body that didn’t feel like you were piloting a delivery van. These days, it’s a rare find—nine active listings are all you’ll get, and fresh stock isn’t coming. Against the Suzuki Jimny and early Ford EcoSport, the Terios always felt a bit more civilised on tar, less bounce and clatter, though you’d only ever get a petrol engine and a manual ’box. Pricing now runs from R84,950 to R159,995, with the sweet spot hovering at R119,900—a decent deal, if you’re picky about condition and history. You’re mostly looking at models between 2002 and 2014, with average mileage sitting at 174,123 km. Not low, but hardly out of the ordinary given the age and the kind of use these SUVs attract. Seven of the nine listings are the standard Terios, covering the full price spread, while the 4x4-badged versions—arguably the ones you want—appear just twice, at R98,500 and R137,500. That badge isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s what the Terios should have been from the start. Joburg’s tight parking lots and the rising cost of unleaded make the Terios’ small size and sensible thirst appealing, and you get a driving position that doesn’t punish you for wanting a bit of off-road ability. If you pack smart and don’t mind hunting for a good one, it’s a left-field option worth considering.